(_DR. VON BETHMANN-HOLLWEG AND HERR MICHAELIS._)
_Michaelis._ I have called partly because I desired to offer my most
tactful condolences to my distinguished predecessor in the high office
which I hold, and partly because I thought you might be willing
to give me some hints as to my conduct, for I should like to leave
nothing undone that might make me a successful Chancellor.
_Von Bethmann-Hollweg._ Upon my word you are even more kind and
considerate than I had expected. Even to exchange a word with a fallen
Chancellor is a sign both of kindness and courage. I wonder how you
could screw yourself up to the pitch of being so daring.
_M._ I am glad you think so, for that is how I myself felt it.
_Von B.-H._ Well, we will leave your courage out of the question. It
is sufficiently proved by your acceptance of the Chancellorship. As
to such advice as I am able to give, I must ask you first whether you
are ready to have the boots of the All-Highest constantly wiped upon
various parts of your person?
_M._ A true Prussian endures that with difficulty.
_Von B.-H._ But a true Prussian, it seems, can accustom himself to
this form of friendship and confidence as to many others.
_M._ What others do you speak of?
_Von B.-H._ My worthy Michaelis, you really must have covered your
eyes and stopped your ears ever since you were born, otherwise you
could not possibly be so ignorant. Do you not know that if your great
and beloved says a foolish thing or does an indiscreet one it will be
your duty to shoulder the responsibility for it? And you can easily
calculate yourself during how many hours of the day your back is
likely to be without a burden of some sort. And mind you, you are not
to expect to receive any gratitude for your toil.
_M._ But he speaks a kind word now and then, doesn't he?
_Von B.-H._ A kind word? Ha-ha. When I think of all that I have done
for that man, the acts I have defended, the stupidities I have tried
to convert into statesmanship, the tempers I have been the butt of,
the childish insults I have had to tolerate, the theatricalities
I have been compelled to treat as if they were the most glorious
manifestations of Imperial splendour--when I think of all this
and realise that he and I are both still alive, I marvel at such a
spectacle of human endurance.
_M._ I must confess you are not very cheerful or very encouraging.
_Von B.-H._ I did not set out to cheer you up or to encourage you, but
I thought it just as well that someone should tell you the truth.
_M._ Why aren't you glad then at having dropped your burden?
_Von B.-H._ I own I ought to be, but, as you hint, I am not. There
are ways of doing things, and there is a real difference in walking
quietly through a door and being kicked out through it with all
possible violence.
_M._ But you have had the Hohenzollern Order presented to you and the
All-Highest has written you with his own gracious hand a letter.
_Von B.-H._ _Verbosa et grandis epistola venit a Capreïs._ As for the
Hohenzollern Order I don't care a snap of the fingers for it. Nor will
you when your time comes.
_M._ I hope that will not be for many years.
_Von B.-H._ For your sake I hope your time may be short. In any case I
must thank you most warmly for your tactful condolences.
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